I finally received the PPE headers I order for my '07 Z way back in November. I ordered them with the black ceramic coating.

The question is whether or not I should put some DEI header wrap on them before installation? Or is it not needed with the coating?

I'm new to the Z platform so I don't know how much heat becomes an issue under the hood. I have all of the plastics (bumper to radiator, under car, etc) that keep air flowing as the factory intended through the engine bay. I did the ceramic coating for the extra piece of mind with regards to the heat. I've heard that wrapping over a coating can be bad for the coating, especially if moisture gets under the wrap, but that could be an old wives tale?

Any suggestions or comments on wrap vs no-wrap with a ceramic coating with respect to the Z platform would be appreciated!

 

It may depend on the coating. I have the exhaust on my 2 Alfa's Jet-Hot coated, and it's definitely not in need of any wrapping.

 

I've got a few weekends before I'll have time to install them. I'll try contacting PPE and see if they have a recommendation as well. I'll post up any response I get from them. I just know a few of the auto-cross guys on here already have these headers and was hoping for some first hand experience.

 

They'll recommend coating unless it is a race car most likely. Race car = wrap per their recommendations.

 

With a quality ceramic coat I don't think you need to wrap. I haven't noticed high underhood temps although I haven't done any scientific measurements either. IMHO wrap is pretty messy anyway, especially when used...

 

...makes you very very itchy when wrapping as well, unless you soak them in water prior to wrapping your headers. First time I wrapped my longtubes I itched for like three days lol, Had to redu them and try again for a tighter wrap and soaked it in water the second time around, and I wasn't itchy.

 

Wrapped mine, heat was a major issue with my previous S/C build, between the wrapping and hood vents, not an issue anymore.

 

Oh das hot